Since the first quarter of the 2020 NFL season has been completed, it is time to pass out awards to fantasy football tight ends. The winners include the most productive TE’s like Travis Kelce of Kansas City and Denver’s Noah Fant. The “losers” include Jack Doyle of Indianapolis and Houston’s Darren Fells.
The following information lists the tight ends by category and week of the season. A “1st Quarter” winner and week 5 selection are included for each category.
Surefire Starters
- Week 1 –Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 2 – Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles and Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
- Week 3 – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs and Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans
- Week 4 – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs and Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
- 1st Quarter – Since the Fantasy POV articles recommend two “Surefire Starters” at tight end every week, the two best TE’s in this category are Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews.
Summary: Kelce is cruising along at an All-Pro pace with an average of 16.4 fantasy football points (FFP) per game. Andrews had disappointing results in weeks 2 and 3, but bounced back with 20.7 FFP and two touchdowns in week 4. If a nagging thigh injury keeps Andrews out of action this week, start Tyler Higbee of the Rams in week 5.
Riding the Bench
- Week 1 – This category for tight ends did not start until week 2 of the season
- Week 2 – Darren Fells, Houston Texans and Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 3 – George Kittle, San Francisco 48ers and Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts
- Week 4 – Johnnu Smith, Tennessee Titans and Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1st Quarter – Since our articles recommend two tight ends ride the bench every week, the co-winners in this category are Jack Doyle and Darren Fells.
Summary: Doyle and Fells are the No. 2 tight ends are their respective teams. As the 2nd quarter of the season starts, they have a combined total of 28.4 FFP. Sit both Doyle and Fells in week 5.
Underrated
- Week 1 – Evan Engram, New York Giants
- Week 2 – Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
- Week 3 – Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raider
- Week 4 – Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears
- 1st Quarter – Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Summary: Fant was emerging as a Tier 1 tight end until he was slowed by an ankle inury in an October 1 game against the Jets. He is currently listed as doubtful for week 5 but if he can’t play, George Kittle of the 49ers who returned to action last week would be a excellent substitute for “Underrated” week 5 tight end.
Overrated
- Week 1 – This category for tight ends did not start until week 2 of the season
- Week 2 – Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 3 – Evan Engram, New York Giants
- Week 4 – Darren Fells, Houston Texans
- 1st Quarter – Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Summary: Gronkowski is typically Tampa Bay’s No. 2 tight end behind O.J. Howard, but with Howard on the injured reserve list (IRL) Gronk will be targeted more in week 5. Despite the head coaching change in Houston, Fells probably will be targeted less this week.
Sleeper TE of the Week
- Week 1 – This category for tight ends did not start until week 2 of the season
- Week 2 – T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
- Week 3 – Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
- Week 4 – Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
- 1st Quarter – T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
Summary: Hockenson is being targeted more frequently by Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. He has 15 catches for 180 yards and 2 touchdown receptions. Unfortunately, week 5 is a “Bye” week for Detroit so the “Sleeper” spot goes to Dallas tight end Dalton Schultz who has been targeted at least six times in each of the last three games.